Fire-alarm apparatus



April 14, 1925.

1,533,394 M. coSTELLO FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Fngd Nov.l 21. .1923 2 sheetssheet 1 April 14, 1925. 1,533,394

. M. CQSTELLO FIRE ALARM A?PAR ATUS Find Nov. 21, 1923 2 sheets-sheet rangemen Patented Apr. 14, 1925. v

LJN-irs STATES MICHAEL COSTELLG, O-i JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

Appncationitd Novemberal, i923. serial nt; @76h91.

To' @ZZ waant/t may( donnera:

Be it known that l, MioHAnn COSTELLO, a citizen of the' United States', residing at J ersey City, inV the county of Hudson andl State of New Jersey, have invented certa-in' new and nsetul Improvementsin a- Fire-Allarm Apparatus. ot' which the following is a' speciiication.

Vlhis inventionl relates to imprOyeme-nts` in iire alarm apparatus.

rlhe pri-mary object oi this invention is the provision of a'- novel type' of' fire alarm apparatus whichy is'automaticlin operation, embodying a circuit maler and breaker arv which will operate antomatie 'cally upon the approach ofV fire to sound' an appropriate iire alarm signal; or automatically control any ot several mech'anisms,y such as close a gas valve in* the burning lmil'ding; shut oil' electric current in the burning bnil'din'gj or closeL bulkhead dbors or the like in factories, mines, or build-ings.

A `further object of this invention is the provision et a` fire alarm system which may be used in buildings, especially buildings of many stories, tor indicating uponl which'y floor a lire has broken out.

A 'further object or" thisV invention is the provision of anevel safety switch tor lire alarm systems embodying a highly infiammable 'dash member normally adapted to maintain the switch open, but which upon the approach of fire willl be instantly de'- stroyed to permit the closing of the switch for alarm actuation.

A further object of this invention is the provision off a novel contact arrangementv for a rire alarm switch of' the above mentioned character.r

Other objects and advantagesr or" this in.- vention will be apparent duringy the course oi" the following detailed1 description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several Views.

Figure l is a side elevation of the i mproved lire alarm safety switch, showin-'g novel features thereoi1 and the connection of circuit wires thereto.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the im-A proved switch illustrated in Figure l?.

tina-nigh the i-mpreve'd safety switch', show-V ing' the same* inJ closedI relation: font-he actual tion Lof a lire alarm circuit or the lile is a cross'1 sectional View' taken threngh the inproyed safety switch, sho-W- in'g the' details sibs switch in noir-'engaging relaio'n l Figi 5 is arr end elevation of a novel type'l or" movable centact embodied in this invenLA Figi @isa diagrammatic representation of a lire alarmy system within which may bey employed a plurality of' circuits receiyin'g" th'e improved circuit maker' andv breaker' dee vices; v

Fig. 7 is aperspective View ol?- thenove'l type of iiiiiannnable or flash member used ini connection with this invention to maihtaini the switch innormally open# relation- In thefdrawings, wherein forlthepurpose of illustration is shown' but the prefer-redi embodiment of this intention, theletiter A may generally designate the novelty'p'e off safety switch, whiclil may be used ina Ywirin'fg system B in ay normal-ly open relatiein. all' though when clbsedf" incident tov antoniaticf operation-l asy wili bev subsequently described,V

adapted to actluate a lire alarm signal @por operate' any type. of mechanism D.'

Referring to the improved safety switch"-` A, the same is ia complete unit, ready for" installationl in ay building, preferably uponl the ceiling; lt includes' a' substantiiallyl polygonal shaped bia-se 10i`v whichf may,v beloff 'right angles toI the plane deiinedI by the base 10; the opening 19 provided by the' guide-sleeve 1'8 being openV :xt-the free endi 2O oli saidi guide sleeve.` v

A substantially shaped bracket 22,

tantalfly illustrated Figure although' with the contact-tsol?v the which may' be: of metal, isalsosecunedl asbyl an*V attaching flange portion? 23' to` the .eX-

posed surface of the base 10, with the flange portion 23 lying flush on the surface 15 and secured in such position by means of screws 24. The body portion 25 of the bracket 22 depends at right angles to base 10 and in parallelism with the guide sleeve 18, and at its lower end has a supporting leg or flange 26 arranged substantially at right angles to the bod portion 25, and in a plane parallel with t e base 10; said leg 26 extending beneath the guide sleeve 18, and having an opening 28 therein which aligns with the passageway 19 of the guide sleeve 18.

A substantially E -shaped metal contact 30 is provided in connection with the safety switch A, which embodies a portion 31 adapted to lie in flush abutting relation with the body portion 25 of the bracket 22, and to be secured thereto by means of screws 32 or the like. rlhe contact member 30 also includes the contact flange 33, which extends at right angles to the attaching portion 31, and is disposed in spaced parallel relation over the supporting flange 26 of the bracket 22, between said flange 26 and the base 10. At its free end the flange 33 is provided with an opening 35 having a beveled edge which diverges toward the opening 28 of the bracket 22, and is in axial alignment with the passageway 19 of the guide sleeve 18 and with the opening 28 of the bracket flange 26.

A movable contact 37 in the nature of a cylindrical shaped plunger is slidably mounted within the passageway 19 of the guide sleeve 18, having the outer end 38 thereof tapering to a point. The cylindrical shaped movable contact 37 at its inner end provides a socket 40 which receives therein a compression spring Zt1 which is normally compressed intermediate the plunger 37 and the base 10, substantially as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, 'tor the purpose of forcing the movable contact 37 toward the fixed contact 30, and to direct the tapered end or head portion 38 so that it engages the contact 3() in the beveled edged opening 35 thereof. A terminal attaching flange 47 is annularly formed about the exposed end of the movable contact 37, at the juncture of the tapered head portion 38 with the body of the movable contact 37; said flange having a series of openings 18 therein. An exterior spiral compression spring 50 is provided, in fixed relation about the exterior of the guide sleeve 18, at one end engaging the base 10, and at its other end engaging the flange 47 for the purpose of urging the Contact 37 toward the contact 30. ln this connection it is to be noted that the spring 41 is enclosed entirely within the structure of the switch A, whereas the spring 5U is exposed and adds a reinforcing action to the spring i11 to perform the function of normally urging the movable contact 37 into engagement with the fixed or stationary contact 30.

1n connection with the stationary contact 30, a terminal clamping member is employed, which includes an attaching portion 56 adapted to be clamped to the bracket 22 by one of the screws 32 which also secures the Contact 30 thereto, so that the terminal clamp is in conducting relation with the contact 30. The terminal clamp 55 further embodies an outffstanding attaching portion 57, which at its free end is inturned, as at 58, to provide a socket 59 wherein may be disposed the stripped portion of a conducting wire 60d of the circuit within which the switch A is to be located. The movable contact 37 is adapted to receive a conducting wire 61, by means of connection to the openings l18 of the flange 47 of said movable contact 37.

From the above description of the saitetv switch A it is apparent that the same may ble installed in any suitable location in a building with a minimum amount of labor and passing of time. The parts of the improved switch are readily removable and the connecting wires may be attached thereto without the necessity of detachment of parts.

1n order to maintain the contacts 30 and 37 in a normally spaced relation so that the switch A will normally maintain the circuit in which the same is disposed open. a novel type of flash member 60 is employed, which is formed ot some highly inflammable or combustible material, such as pyroxylin. It includes the body portion 61 having a locating projection ($2 extending outwardly from a surface thereof. The body portion 6l is preferably polygonal shaped in formation, and on al", sides except one is provided with the laterally extendingtriangular shaped tash projections which extend outwardly from the body portion 61 in the same direction, and in planes at obtuse angles with respect to the plane of the body portion 21. 1With respect to the positioning of the flash member 60 upon the safety switch A. the same normally rests upon the supporting flange 26 of the bracket 22, with the locat ingl lug 62 rest-ing in the opening 28 of the supporting flange 26. ln this relation 'the side or edge ot` the body 61 which is Ytree ot' any of the projections 65 faces the body portion of the bracket 22, and the flash projections 65 extends laterally of and downwardly from the bracket flange 26. In this position ot the flash member GO the pointed or tapered head 38 of the movable Contact 37 engages the body 61 of the flash member 60, which now covers the aperture 28, and thus maintains the movable contact 37 out oit engagement with the contact 30, notwithstanding the action of' its springs 41 and 50; the tapered surface of the head 38 thus being disposed in spaced relation with the beveled edges of the aperture `335 of the contact 80f, substantially as is illustrated in Figure l of the drawings, and normally maintaining the circuits which are'` controlled by the switch A open. It is' to be particularly noted that theflash inember 60 is so positioned that the same exposed in they room of a building all times,

and the projections may be readily reached7 either `for manual removal, or by flames should the building` be on lire.. By having the projections extending downwardly as shown in Figures l and l their lower ends may be readily ignited and the flame will travel upwardly and quickly vdestroy the flash member so that the springs actuating the movable contact will move the same into engagement with the stationary contact. for closing the circuits of the fire alarm.

Referring to the wiring system B which may be placed in any building having aplurality of floors, an annunciator board 75 may be provided', having suitable annunciators 76 thereon for each floor of the building, and suitable individu al circuits 78 for each floor of the building and within which the respective annunciators Z6 are po sitioned. VEach circuit 78, of course, vhas one ofthe safety switches A located therein. The circuits 78 may receive their supply of electrical energy from a common source 80, and have a common warning signal 8l located therein adapted. for actuation upon closing* of any of said circuits.v In connection: with the wiring system B, where it is desirable to operatekso-me mechanism such asa valve, relay, or some heavy mechanism such as a bulkhead door, a local circuit 85 may be operated by one or more of the safety switches A, substantially as is. diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6, for the actuation` of a relay 86 in said local circuit; said relay 86 being the means of closing a switch mechanism 87 in a high powered circuit 88, and in which high powered circuit 88 suitable means may be placed for actuating any of the above mentioned mechanisms.

From the foregoing description `o-f this invention it is apparent that a novel type of fire alarm apparatus has been provided which is relatively simple in operation, yet positive in action to perform the purposes for which it is adapted. The functions which the improved fire alarm apparatus serve are not limited to the sounding of a warning signal, but the improved 'circuit maker and breaker switch A may be einbodied in circuits adapted for the actuation of any suitable mechanism'desired. The fact that the inflammable flash member 60 is placed in an out. of the way position, and not between the movable and fixed contacts insures that whenever the point.- or tapered head 38 of the movable Contact 37 penctrates the body 6l of the flash member that the contacts of the switch A will meet and close the circuit,y and the merely partial destruction of the flash member 601 cannot interfere with such circuit closing. The' fiash member 60y isat all times accessible for `test purposes and may be readily reached by flames, embers, and the like which threaten to destroy the building in which the improved switch-Ar is positioned Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made' tol the form of the improved lire alarm apparatus herein sho-wn and described, without yde-v parting from the spirit orf-the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A safety switch of the class described comprising a support, a bracket carried by the support and having` a-n arm extending substantially parallel to said support, ai fixed contafft carried by the bracket having a portion extending between said support and the arm of said bracket and provided with an opening', a movable contact nformally urged toward: the aperture in said fixedv contact to extend therethrough, and an iniiammable member supported by the arm of said bracket for enga-ging said movable contact to maintain the contacts out of relative engagement, but upon destruction permitting movement of theY movable contact into engagement with the fixed contact.

2. AY safety switch comprisingA a support, a bracket carried by the support, a fixed Contact supported' by the bracket having an: opening thereim, a movable contact,y means normally urging the movable contact into the opening of said fixed contact, and a de- -structible member adapted to be supported ,contact adapted to engage the latter whereby to support it out of engagement with the fixed contact, said movable contact upon destruction of said destructible members adapted to engage the fixed contact for closing a circuit.

3. A safety switch comprising an attaching base, a tubular guide member supported in substantially right angled relation by said base defining an open passageway therein, a slidable member in the passageway of said tubular member, having a socket recess in the inner end thereof, a.l compression spring supported in said socket recess within the slidable member and in the guide sleeve for normally urging the slidable member outwardly of said guide sleeve passageway, an annular flange supported at the outer portion of said slide member, a compression spring between said flange antl the base for normally urging the slide member lll outwardly from sait guide sleeve, a bracket supported by the base providing; a portion which extends across the outer end ot said slidable member and has an openinpV therein for receiving the slidable member at its free end and a contact carried by said bracket providing an apertured portion which extends across the space between the slidable memberl and the apertured portion of said bracket tor receiving' the outer end ot the slidable member in the aperture thereoi.

il. A. safety switch eonnjnfisiug an attaching` base, a tubular guide member supported in substantially right angled relation by said. base defining an open passageway therein, a slidable member in the p way ot said tubular member, havin' t-he guide sleeve for normally K ie slidable member outwardly ot said guide sleeve passageway an annular flange supported at the outer portion oit said slide membeig a compression sprine' between said flange and the base for normally urging the slide member outwardly from said guide sleeve, a bracket supported by the base providing a portion which extends across the outer end ofsaid slidable member and has an opening therein for receiving; the slidable nieinbel at its tree end, a Contact carried by said bracket providing an apertured portion which extends across the space between the slidable member and the apertured portion of said bracket for receiving the outer end ot' the slidable member in the aperture thereof, and a flash member ot inflammable material adapted to be supported by the apertured portion of said bracket whereby to hold the slidable .member in supported disengaged relation with the fixed Contact.

5. A safety switch comprising a base, a

Lissone@ slidable member providinpla pointed he: d, means for guidii'ig` and normally urging the slidable member outwardly from said base. a support carried by the base and haring au arm extending parallel to the base, a fixed contact rarried by the support and having' a portion eriteiulin; between the arm and base parallel. to the base and provided with an opening adapted to receive the pointed head ot said slidable conta@V and of les diameter than the diameter ot the largest portion ofL the 'pointed head'. and a flash member adapted to l e supliorted by the arm of said support to maintain the. pointed head out of normal engagement with said fixen contact.

(3. [is an article of mai'rutacture7 a flash niember for safety switches formed of highly inflammable material and including` a body portion and flash projections extendinp; therefrom.

[its an art.A ,le ot manufacture, an inflammable flash member for safety switches comprisingv a body portion el plane tarmation., and outwardly extending' pointed flash projections extendingv therefrom.

8. is an article oit manufacture, an inflammable flash member T"or safety switch comprising a body portion of plane 'lin-mation, and outwardly extending pointed flash projections extending downwardly therefrom at an angle ol less than 1800 with respect to said body portion.

9. As an article ol manufacture, an inflammable flash member for safety switches comprising a body portion of plane torination, outwardly extending pointed flash projections extending` downwardly therefrom at an angle ot less than 1800 willi respect to said body portion7 and a centering lug` carried outwardly et a side surface of said body portion.

MCHAEL COFTELLU. 

